Jaheim pulled an all-star cast for his latest video, “Age Ain’t a Factor” (debuted here on ESSENCE.com), enlisting Cynthia Bailey, LisaRaye and Vivica A. Fox as his leading ladies for a fictional “Ageless Beauty” feature in ESSENCE. We spoke with the foxy 40-something-year-olds about being the Derek Blanks-directed music video and to find out whether—as Jaheim sings—they’ve really “gotten better with time.”
ESSENCE.com: Well this was refreshing since we don’t see a lot of women over 40 in music videos
Cynthia: This, for me, was a ‘girl, you still got it’ moment. I represented, right? I feel sexier now in this video than any of the videos I ever did when I was in my 20’s.
LisaRaye: It’s about time! It’s awesome to be able to be able to have women of different ages come up to you and say, ‘You are really holding it down for the 30 and 40-year-olds.’ This is to let the 40-plus women know that, yes you do still have it. Don’t let these young girls get a jump on us. It also lets the younger girls know that 40 is the new 30 and to keep yourself elevated so you can look this good at that age. Besides, with the videos out there now we wouldn’t even want to be in them.
Vivica A. Fox: It’s nice to have a video that caters to the grown and sexy ladies out there.
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ESSENCE.com: I hear 40-plus is amazing. Do you personally feel you’ve gotten better with time?
Cynthia: I was still figuring it out in my 20’s and I thought I had it figured out in my 30’s. In my 40’s, I got it under control. I’m just doing me. I’m exactly where I saw myself being, doing what I want to be doing with the people I want to be doing it with.
LisaRaye: Absolutely! I feel my maturity, empowerment and my womanhood. My experience makes me more of a no-nonsense person, with knowledge now.
Vivica: Oh absolutely! I’ve always wanted to be older, believe it or not. With age has come wisdom, peace and patience, which I didn’t have when I was younger. I’m comfortable with my own skin. I’m good with me.
ESSENCE.com: Jaheim is singing about dating an older woman in this song. Would you ever date a younger man? Cynthia, you’re married, but have you ever?
Cynthia: Age has never been a factor for me. I’ve always aimed for men in my age category, but the heart what the heart wants. Had I fallen for someone younger than me, then that’s just what it would have been. I really think age is very individual.
LisaRaye: Maybe a couple of years younger, but, girl, no. You know why? Some men are intimidated. You already know what I’m bringing to the table; what are you bringing to the table? I personally need maturity. I don’t want to have to be a teacher. I want someone that is through with all the playing and the dumb stuff.
Vivica: [Laughs] You know I don’t have a problem with that. If you meet someone, whether or not they’re older than you or they’re a different nationality and you see something there, then go for it. If you like it, I love it is my philosophy.
What do you say, ladies? Is 40 the new 30?